Yoga in India has been recognised as a mental and physical exercise and seen as a spiritual practice.
Yoga originated in India thousands of years back, when people wanted to relax their body and mind. Looking for a balance between their body and mind too they used to do yoga-meditation. It is also said in Bhagwat Geeta Samtvam Yoga Uchyate- Absolute equality is called yoga. Yoga has a very special importance in Indian religion and philosophy. Along with spiritual energy, the importance of yoga for physical and mental health is shared in all religions and accepted openly.
Actually, yoga is a physical, mental and a spiritual practice that not only gives people peace, confidence and strength but it also connects people with nature. Yoga means to be united. There are many types of yoga like Kamsha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhasi Yoga, Jan Yoga and Hasta Yoga. Hasta Yoga is practiced in the form of many asanas in India and there is importance in our life.
India has always been promoting yoga all over the world. From Jawaharlal Nehru and all subsequent Prime Ministers have adopted comprehensive policies and gave emphasis on programs. The recognition of this promotion of yoga at the global level happened in December 2014, when the United Nations General Assembly accepted the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced to celebrate International Yoga Day on 21st June. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated all over the world on 21st June 2015. Yoga was held in 193 countries on this occasion and today the whole world is reaping its benefits.
India's glorious culture and civilization got a new dimension through yoga. With the participation of all countries around the world, it is ensured that in future, Yoga can become an important medium of global peace and harmony. This year the world is celebrating the seventh yoga day and the effect of yoga is being seen in the world. Last year, on the occasion of the sixth yoga day, the Yoga University was established in Los Angeles, USA and it was named Vivekananda Yoga University. It is the first Yoga University to be established outside India. During the freedom movement, Maharishi Arvind and Swami Vivekananda gave the message of world peace with the mantra of spirituality and yoga to the suffering world. The usefulness of yoga has already increased a lot during the Corona period. People who have been cured of Covid infection have benefited a lot from yoga. In view of Covid-19, like last year, this year also Yoga Day will be celebrated on digital media platforms, as no mass participation at function or event is still considered unsafe. A theme is also decided every year to spread awareness among people about yoga. Last year the theme of 2020 was 'Do Yoga at Home'. The theme of 7th Yoga Day this year is ‘Be with Yoga, Be at Home’.
During his speech in September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid great emphasis on Yoga. He said in the United Nations General Assembly that "Yoga is a priceless gift of Indian tradition". thoughts and actions; Ankush and Siddhi; harmony between man and nature; There is a perfectionist approach to health and well being. It is not only about exercise, but also about finding an understanding of oneness with the world and nature itself.
By changing our lifestyle and generating consciousness, it can help in tackling the problem of climate change. According to Indian culture, the Sun turns south after the summer solstice. June 21 is considered the longest day of the year. On this day the sun rises early and sets late. In yoga, this phenomenon is called transition period. By doing yoga at the time of transition, the body gets a lot of benefits. That is why International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June.
After June 21, was declared as the International Day of Yoga, yoga became prominent on the agenda of the government.
In 2015, the Ministry of Education included Yoga in the NCERT syllabus. An announcement was made to open yoga departments in central universities too.
Yoga in India also promotes tourism. Tourists from all over the world turn to India to learn yoga. If India's culture is a mine of virtues, then yoga is its biggest and most powerful identity. Yoga is only about body movements and breathing.
Not only the process of practicing the right methods of regular practice but also it is the three main elements of the body, to regulate the contact between body, mind and soul. It regulates the functioning of all body parts and protects the body and mind from troubles caused by some bad conditions and unhealthy lifestyle.
It helps in maintaining health, knowledge and inner peace. By providing good health it fulfills our physical needs, through knowledge it fulfills the mental needs and through inner peace it fulfills the spiritual need, thus maintaining harmony among all of us.
Regular practice of yoga in the morning provides external and internal relief by keeping us away from the troubles caused by countless physical and mental elements.
Various asanas of yoga create mental and physical strength as well as a sense of wellbeing. It sharpens the mind, improves the intellectual level and helps in a high level of concentration by stabilizing the emotions. The feeling of goodness forms the nature of help in man and thus, promotes social well-being. In the Mahopasanam it is said - "Manah Prashamnopayo Yoga Ityabhighiyate" means the method of quenching the mind is called Yoga.
Yoga is the philosophy used, which develops self-discipline and self-awareness through regular practice. On the other hand, diseases like blood pressure, sugar, heart attack, depression have become common due to changing food habits. We all should make Yoga-Pranayama a part of our life and do Yoga Karma daily.
(The author is the Organisation General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand)